Cecil Underwood | |
|---|---|
 Underwood fromThe Monticola (1959) | |
| 25th & 32ndGovernor of West Virginia | |
| In office January 13, 1997 – January 15, 2001 | |
| Lieutenant[a] | Earl Ray Tomblin |
| Preceded by | Gaston Caperton |
| Succeeded by | Bob Wise |
| In office January 14, 1957 – January 16, 1961 | |
| Preceded by | William C. Marland |
| Succeeded by | Wally Barron |
| Member of the West Virginia House of Delegates fromTyler County | |
| In office December 1, 1944 – December 1, 1956 | |
| Preceded by | Cecil Nichols |
| Succeeded by | Sprigg Smith |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Cecil Harland Underwood (1922-11-05)November 5, 1922 Josephs Mills,West Virginia, U.S. |
| Died | November 24, 2008(2008-11-24) (aged 86) Charleston,West Virginia, U.S. |
| Resting place | Spring Hill Cemetery Tyler,West Virginia |
| Party | Republican |
| Spouse | |
| Children | 3 |
| Profession | Educator |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance | United States |
| Branch/service | United States Army |
| Unit | Reserves |
| Battles/wars | World War II |
Cecil Harland Underwood (November 5, 1922 – November 24, 2008) was an American politician who served as the 25th and 32ndgovernor of West Virginia from 1957 to 1961, and again from 1997 to 2001. A member of theRepublican Party, he was the youngest governor in the state's history whenfirst elected in 1956 at age 34 and later became the oldest whenre-elected in 1996 at age 74. His career spanned more than five decades, including multiple gubernatorial bids, legislative service, and roles in academia and business. Underwood was known for his work in civil rights, economic development, and tax reform.[1][2]
Underwood was born inJosephs Mills, West Virginia, to Della N. (née Forrester) and Silas Henry Underwood.[1][3] Growing up during theGreat Depression, he worked on farms to support his family.[6]
He graduated fromTyler Consolidated High School in 1939[1][3] and later enrolled atSalem University inHarrison County, where he was student body president and a member ofSigma Phi Epsilon fraternity. He earned his bachelor's degree in 1943.[4]
DuringWorld War II, he served as anArmy Reservist before returning to teach high school biology inSt. Marys, West Virginia (1943–1946).[4][5][6] He later pursued a master's degree fromWest Virginia University, which he completed in 1965.[1]
At just 22 years old, Underwood launched his political career by winning a seat in theWest Virginia House of Delegates in 1944. He served six consecutive terms (1944–1956) and became House Minority Leader in 1949, 1951, 1953, and 1955.[2][5]
In addition to his political work, he was a college professor and administrator, teaching atMarietta College (1946–1950) and later serving as vice president of Salem College (1950–1956).[2][4]
Underwood's1956 election asGovernor of West Virginia marked the first election of a Republican to the office since 1928.[5] He had defeatedCharleston Mayor John T. Copenhaver by only 7,200 votes in the primary, and enjoyed a decisive victory against DemocraticU.S. RepresentativeRobert Mollohan in the general election by 63,000 votes.[4] Only a week prior to the election, it was discovered that Mollohan had received $20,000 and two cars from a coal operator on astrip mine at amale reformatory inPruntytown while Mollohan was superintendent of the institution.[4] Underwood had turned 34 years old only one day before the election, making him one of the youngest U.S. governors to have ever been elected.
Following the lead of GovernorWilliam C. Marland, the Democrat who preceded him in office, Underwood continued thedesegregation of West Virginia schools without violent confrontation at all levels and was a supporter ofcivil rights legislation.[5]
The previous governors since 1932 had all beenDemocrats. His first act as governor was to go on the new medium oftelevision and inform every state employee that they were fired. He stated that this was the only way to destroy the corrupt"machine" system. He later advocated an organizedcivil service andretirementpension system, and provided temporary employment relief for low-income families.[5]
Underwood was instrumental in the creation of the West Virginia Mental Health Department,[2][5] and oversaw creation of theinterstate highway in the state,[7] He oversaw the last threeexecutions in the state, all in 1959.[8]
BecauseWest Virginia's constitution prohibited governors from serving consecutive terms at that time, Underwood ran for theUnited States Senate in1960, but was defeated by incumbent DemocratJennings Randolph.[1] He was nominated again forgovernor in 1964 but was defeated byHulett C. Smith, and then lost the Republican primary for governor toArch A. Moore Jr. in1968.[1][4] He was nominated again forgovernor in 1976, losing to DemocratJay Rockefeller[4] by 250,000 votes, which would become his largest defeat.[1]
During the 1960s, he was named temporary chairman of theRepublican National Convention and was once considered for the office ofVice President underRichard Nixon. Two weeks after losing the Senate race in 1960, Underwood went to work for the Island Creek Coal Company[4] andMonsanto Chemical Company as well as forming his own land development company.[2][5]
He was associated as well with the Software Valley Corporation inMorgantown, West Virginia.[5] He continued his academic career by serving asPresident ofBethany College[5] and instructor ofpolitical science atMarshall University.[2] He also served as president of the National Association of State Councils on Vocational Education.[1]
Underwood was elected again to the office ofGovernor of West Virginia in1996[5] under the banner "Better Government, not Bigger Government",[7] carrying 38 of the state's 55 counties and defeating astronautJon McBride and future congressmanDavid McKinley.[1]
During his governorship, he enabled theGovernor's Commission of Fair Taxation, which was a thorough review of the state's tax structure. The Commission made numerous recommendations for improvement. He streamlined administrative costs from education and other government sectors.[7]
In October 1999, Underwood was selected by the governors of theAppalachian states to serve as West Virginia's co-chairman for theAppalachian Regional Commission for 2000.[1]
Underwood was the only sitting Republican governordefeated for re-election in2000, narrowly losing to DemocratBob Wise.[1][2]
After leaving office, Underwood largely withdrew from public life. His wife,Hovah, died in 2004 from complications of a stroke.[4][5]
In March 2006, he suffered aminor stroke, followed by a majorstroke in 2008, which left him unable to speak. He developed a severe blood infection later that year and was admitted to a nursing facility before returning home toCharleston.[5]
On November 23, 2008, he was hospitalized with chest congestion andminor brain bleeding. He died the next day atCharleston Area Medical Center at age 86.[5] Hisbody was donated toMarshall University'sJoan C. Edwards School of Medicine.[6]
Underwood marriedHovah Hall on July 25, 1948, at Knotts Methodist Church in Grantsville, West Virginia. The couple met while attendingSalem College, where Hovah's sisters were Underwood’s classmates.[9]
They had one son, two daughters, and six grandchildren.[4]
Underwood was a lifelongMethodist.[10]
| Political offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by | Governor of West Virginia 1957–1961 | Succeeded by |
| Preceded by | Governor of West Virginia 1997–2001 | Succeeded by |
| Party political offices | ||
| Preceded by | Republican Party nominee forGovernor of West Virginia 1956 | Succeeded by Harold E. Neely |
| Preceded by | Republican Party nominee forU.S. Senator from West Virginia (Class 2) 1960 | Succeeded by |
| Preceded by Harold E. Neely | Republican Party nominee forGovernor of West Virginia 1964 | Succeeded by |
| Preceded by | Republican Party nominee forGovernor of West Virginia 1976 | |
| Preceded by | Republican Party nominee forGovernor of West Virginia 1996,2000 | Succeeded by Monty Warner |
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| International | |
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| National | |
| Other | |
